Press "Enter" to skip to content

This site contains Ebay partner affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.

1997 BMW M3 Sedan – REVISIT

The Dakar Yellow BMW M3 Sedan we featured late last year is back on offer. If you need a bit of practicality with your M car serving, there are few better formulas than the E36 M3 sedan.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 BMW M3 Sedan on eBay

The below post originally appeared on our site November 4, 2014:

The BMW E36 M3 Sedan was the perfect formula for someone seeking a bit of speed in a discrete package. It wasn’t the most powerful of M branded cars ever released, but adhered to the formula that made these cars popular with commuters and track day amateurs alike. Their sharp reflexes and buttery smooth gearbox could make almost anyone look like a hero behind the wheel. Today, these cars are a bargain, especially if you contrast them to what E30 M3s are fetching these days. But if you wanted to shout about it, you could have ordered it in a bright hue such as this example in Dakar Yellow for sale in New York. Thankfully, this example is equipped with the 5-speed manual gearbox.

509

Year: 1997
Model: M3 Sedan
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 120,588 mi
Price: Reserve auction

Up for sale is my 1997 BMW E36 M3. It has a clean title with only 120k miles. It has a 6 cylinder engine. Car starts right up without any hesitation and drive great. The car has been serviced by a qualified BMW Technician. It is completely stock. No modifications has been made. There arent any lights on the cluster indicating any issues with the drivetrain. All the lights on the inside and outside work as they should. The car could use a good professional detail.

Mechanical
Full tune up – Spark Plugs, Fuel Filter, Air Filter, Micro Filters (this year)
Front and Rear Brakes and Rotors, Brake Flush (last year)
New Intake Boot
Cooling system – Water Pump, Thermostat, Radiator, Coolant Flush (this year)
Belts and Tensioners (this year)
Fresh Oil Change
Front and Rear Sachs Shocks (last year)
New Wipers
New OEM Clutch Kit (Less than 5k miles)
New clutch master cylinder, clutch slave cylinder

Interior
The interior is in great condition considering its age. Everything on the inside works as it should.

A/C blows ice cold.

Please dont hesitate to ask any questions. Email me with name and phone number. I am available to show the car in the evenings after 5:30pm. This car is being sold as-is. There arent any warranties with this sale. Car is listed for sale locally so I reserve the right to cancel the auction at anytime. Thanks for looking and happy bidding!!!

509

As usual, I’m not a fan of spoilers on the E36 M3. It’s just a bit too brash on an otherwise handsome design. The checkered flag decal on the right rear is also a bit too much, a slightly lame attempt at capturing some of that Lightweight magic. I’m kind of indifferent on Dakar Yellow, which probably wouldn’t be the usual reaction to such a hue. Estoril Blue would be my first choice, but if you gave me a Dakar Yellow M3, I wouldn’t turn my nose up. This one is in good, if not perfect condition, given the mileage. As such, an M3 like this should probably fetch somewhere in the $8,000 to $12,000 range.

-Paul

10 Comments

  1. Ry
    Ry November 4, 2014

    “Could use a good detail” might be my new favorite thing said in a car ad.

    Dakar yellow never really did it for me either, I’m not yellow adverse, but it kind of reminds me of the Volvo ’90s yellow – kind of flat without a lot of pop to it. The Porsche 356 that Rob posted the other day was similarly lacking in eye grabbing flavor. (I heart Estoril too Paul, it’s in my pantheon of top colors ever!).

    That flag is a riot – what a tacky decision. At least it wasn’t the tri-color one (on yellow, ugh!).

  2. RightYouAreKen
    RightYouAreKen November 4, 2014

    I bet if you removed the flag decals the paint would be less faded. Too bad. I agree, Dakar looks a bit flat sometimes.

  3. Poorhouse
    Poorhouse November 5, 2014

    That Alpine White Coupe got ripped apart on the M3 Forum.

    The seller didn’t disclose that it is a partially converted luxury package car.
    That in itself isn’t a big deal. The bigger issue was that the car had been listed for sale
    in multiple states and had a shady history.

  4. MDriver
    MDriver November 5, 2014

    well it is a manual….mileage is not exaggerated…
    Dakar is a personal preference….
    I remember when LSB was the color on all the demo E46 M3’s dealers could not GIVE them away at the time…now people go ga ga over a LSB M3..
    lose the flag decal, but you may have paint issues as was already mentioned…
    this is not too far from me if someone is seriously interested, be happy to give it a good PPI…
    if all checks out…this could be a nice ride for under 9k

  5. Matt
    Matt November 5, 2014

    Poorhouse- interesting, I didn’t see that. Which forum?

  6. ConservativesDefeated
    ConservativesDefeated November 6, 2014

    I’ll take the Dakar over Estoril.

    I was up close with a ’98 M3 Convertible in Estoril at my favorite BMW “recycling” yard recently. All I could think of looking at the color was the movie which originally starred David Hedison and later Jeff Goldblum as a fly with a human head. Dont ask me why.

    I’d take a coupe in Dakar or Alpine. I wondered about the Cali plates on the Alpine one which ar roughly late nineties early 2000’s vintage.

    Regardless it’s a nice looking car.

  7. Matt
    Matt November 8, 2014

    Poorhouse- what a crazy story that alpine has. It’s fun to see shysters get called out though

  8. Ry
    Ry November 13, 2014

    What’s up with the driver’s door side arm rest? It looks melted. And why mention rust on the fuel filler door but not take a picture of it?! Maybe the flag is a rust magnet since it drapes the fuel door? Lol

    This car got me thinking – although I’m not a huge Dakar fan it at least fits the M3, even in sedan (and the M roadster, etc). But I googled to see if any e39 5-series have been made in Dakar. The answer is yes, and they look plain goofy as heck IMHO!

Comments are closed.